Monday, April 14, 2008

My Fathers monthly missionary report

Partners in International Ministry: in France , April 2008

Dear praying friends,

The March Mission was quite a trip! In the shuttle to the airport I shared extensively with a Hispanic couple. They both were interested and eager to read the Gospel of John I left them. The driver also heard our conversation. Please pray for Jess & Edna to trust Christ for their salvation.

On one leg of the flight I discussed the Gospel with a Turkish man who is a German citizen temporarily working in the US . He is of no religion but thinks Jesus is a prophet. I encouraged him to study the words of Jesus since the words of a genuine prophet are true. Pray that he will read the Gospels and also trust Jesus.

My French connection was at the wrong terminal. We finally got together and had a great time of fellowship en route to his home and often throughout the week. Staying with Vincent, Nicole and Etienne, their baby, was a joy. We had valuable times of prayer and fellowship. I taught four sessions on the book of Colossians during the week, plus Psalm1 at Sunday worship.

One afternoon we experienced a special Divine appointment. We left to do a prayer walk and arriving in town immediately ran into a Muslim widow these believers have been helping and witnessing to. She, a friend and their two young boys had just been dropped off with a lot of donated furniture. The street was blocked off to cars so they needed to carry the furniture two block and then up three floors to her apartment. She was wondering how to get all this stuff to her place and at the moment the four of us arrived. The timing and help from Christians is beginning to convince her that Christ loves her. Pray that they will all be drawn to the Savior.

One night we travelled back to Nice and had a Bible study with a small group of young adult believers there. I led a discussion on Romans 4 that seemed quite productive. Pray that they will be courageous in witnessing and inviting others to join this group.

In Europe , few people will listen to a presentation of the Gospel unless you have first built a relationship of mutual trust and friendship. This means new ministries and churches tend to grow slowly. The church planters, whether foreigners or nationals, tend to be viewed with suspicion. These missionaries need and deserve our prayer and support.

One of my main goals is to come alongside these servants of the Lord and be a blessing in whatever way they need. So I offer to teach Biblical Studies, Apologetics or conversational English as an outreach, do prayer walks together, pray and fellowship or do whatever they want.

In mid-May I am planning to return to the Ukraine for the third time. Three of the ministries will be repeats of the last two years; to teach as a volunteer at the Crimea-American College , speak and teach at two churches and work again with the International School Project, training Public School teachers in a biblical curriculum of Christian Ethics and Morals to teach to their students. New this year will be a training conference for Romanian pastors. I will be leading them in a biblical studies each morning and then presenting materials on church ministry & growth.

Please pray for the Lord to raise my support and to continue to use me to encourage those to whom He sends me. If you are led to help financially please send a check to Partners in International Ministry, 12 18 E. First St. , Tustin , CA 92780 . Thanks for your prayers & gifts they are greatly needed and appreciated.
In the Father’s service,
Gerald Tilley

(I am trying to get him set up on paypal in the next few days and let me know if you would like his email)

Where is Trent?

My apologies for my recent activity... or lack there of. Business in the mortgage industry has been slow for the past 8 months or so, and has finally started picking back up. I have some catching up to do on my families finances and have also started a water machine business that I believe is amazing. (If you want information, follow the links on the side) My time has gotten a bit tighter, but I hope in the next month or so for things to calm back down. I know I am behind on some responses, and plead for some grace. Thank you for being patient.

Grace and Truth

Trent